Vol. 59

Title:
Improving the Postharvest Quality and Rooting of Cuttings

Authors:
Vijay Rapaka and Jim Faust

pp: 502

Abstract:
The most common postharvest ethylene-related problems include leaf senescence (yellowing) and/or abscission of matured leaves. Successful postharvest shipment of non-rooted vegetative cuttings is dependent on the interaction between endogenous carbohydrate status and ethylene sensitivity. Plant sensitivity to ethylene is dependent on the carbohydrate status of the cutting. Cuttings harvested at the end of the day possess relatively high carbohydrate levels and are less sensitive to ethylene action. In contrast, cuttings harvested early in the morning have low carbohydrate levels and are more sensitive to ethylene in the post-harvest environment. Application of the ethylene-blocker 1-MCP inhibits leaf senescence and abscission regardless of the endogenous carbohydrate status and ethylene production.

Successful rooting of vegetative cuttings is dependent both on preharvest carbohydrate status and current photosynthesis during the course of propagation. When cuttings produced under high light levels at tropical locations are shipped and propagated under lower light during winter months, their net carbon assimilation will be impaired. This is primarily due to the poor photosynthetic performance of the cuttings during propagation because of the improper adaptation of their photosynthetic apparatus. The survival and root formation of those cuttings can be improved by supplemental lighting during propagation.

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